diff --git a/Jellyfin.Plugin.MediaBarEnhanced/Web/mediaBarEnhanced.js b/Jellyfin.Plugin.MediaBarEnhanced/Web/mediaBarEnhanced.js
index 472a116..87e008b 100644
--- a/Jellyfin.Plugin.MediaBarEnhanced/Web/mediaBarEnhanced.js
+++ b/Jellyfin.Plugin.MediaBarEnhanced/Web/mediaBarEnhanced.js
@@ -1748,7 +1748,14 @@ const SlideCreator = {
                   const slide = document.querySelector(`.slide[data-item-id="${itemId}"]`);
                   const isVideoPlayerOpen = document.querySelector('.videoPlayerContainer') || document.querySelector('.youtubePlayerContainer');
 
-                  if (slide && slide.classList.contains('active') && !document.hidden && !STATE.slideshow.isPaused && (!isVideoPlayerOpen || isVideoPlayerOpen.classList.contains('hide'))) {
+                  const isActive = slide && slide.classList.contains('active');
+                  const isHidden = document.hidden;
+                  const isPaused = STATE.slideshow.isPaused;
+                  const isPlayerOpen = isVideoPlayerOpen && !isVideoPlayerOpen.classList.contains('hide');
+                  console.log(`[MBE-READY] onReady for ${itemId}: active=${isActive}, hidden=${isHidden}, paused=${isPaused}, playerOpen=${!!isPlayerOpen}`);
+
+                  if (isActive && !isHidden && !isPaused && !isPlayerOpen) {
+                    console.log(`[MBE-READY] → Playing video for ${itemId}`);
                     event.target.playVideo();
                     
                     // Check if it actually started playing after a short delay (handling autoplay blocks)
@@ -1781,6 +1788,8 @@ const SlideCreator = {
                   }
                 },
                 'onStateChange': (event) => {
+                  const stateNames = {[-1]: 'UNSTARTED', 0: 'ENDED', 1: 'PLAYING', 2: 'PAUSED', 3: 'BUFFERING', 5: 'CUED'};
+                  console.log(`[MBE-STATE] ${itemId}: ${stateNames[event.data] || event.data}`);
                   if (event.data === YT.PlayerState.ENDED) {
                     SlideshowManager.nextSlide();
                   }
@@ -2331,108 +2340,31 @@ const SlideshowManager = {
       });
 
       // Manage Video Playback: Stop others, Play current
+      this.pauseOtherVideos(currentItemId);
 
-      // 1. Pause all other YouTube players
-      if (STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers) {
-        Object.keys(STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers).forEach(id => {
-          if (id !== currentItemId) {
-            const p = STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers[id];
-            if (p && typeof p.pauseVideo === 'function') {
-              p.pauseVideo();
-            }
+      if (!STATE.slideshow.isPaused) {
+        this.playCurrentVideo(currentSlide, currentItemId);
+      } else {
+        // Check if new slide has video — Option B: un-pause for video slides
+        const videoBackdrop = currentSlide.querySelector('.video-backdrop');
+        if (videoBackdrop) {
+          STATE.slideshow.isPaused = false;
+          const pauseButton = document.querySelector('.pause-button');
+          if (pauseButton) {
+            pauseButton.innerHTML = '<i class="material-icons">pause</i>';
+            const pauseLabel = LocalizationUtils.getLocalizedString('ButtonPause', 'Pause');
+            pauseButton.setAttribute('aria-label', pauseLabel);
+            pauseButton.setAttribute('title', pauseLabel);
           }
-        });
-      }
-
-      // 2. Pause all other HTML5 videos
-      document.querySelectorAll('video').forEach(video => {
-        if (!video.closest(`.slide[data-item-id="${currentItemId}"]`)) {
-          video.pause();
+          this.playCurrentVideo(currentSlide, currentItemId);
         }
-      });
-
-      // 3. Play and Reset current video
-      const videoBackdrop = currentSlide.querySelector('.video-backdrop');
-
-      // Update mute button visibility
-      const muteButton = document.querySelector('.mute-button');
-      if (muteButton) {
-        const hasVideo = !!videoBackdrop;
-        muteButton.style.display = hasVideo ? 'block' : 'none';
-      }
-
-      // Option B: If paused and new slide has video, un-pause for video playback.
-      // If paused and new slide has only images, stay paused.
-      if (STATE.slideshow.isPaused && videoBackdrop) {
-        STATE.slideshow.isPaused = false;
-        const pauseButton = document.querySelector('.pause-button');
-        if (pauseButton) {
-          pauseButton.innerHTML = '<i class="material-icons">pause</i>';
-          const pauseLabel = LocalizationUtils.getLocalizedString('ButtonPause', 'Pause');
-          pauseButton.setAttribute('aria-label', pauseLabel);
-          pauseButton.setAttribute('title', pauseLabel);
+        // Update mute button visibility
+        const muteButton = document.querySelector('.mute-button');
+        if (muteButton) {
+          muteButton.style.display = videoBackdrop ? 'block' : 'none';
         }
       }
 
-      if (videoBackdrop && !STATE.slideshow.isPaused) {
-        if (videoBackdrop.tagName === 'VIDEO') {
-          videoBackdrop.currentTime = 0;
-
-          videoBackdrop.muted = STATE.slideshow.isMuted;
-          if (!STATE.slideshow.isMuted) {
-            videoBackdrop.volume = 0.4;
-          }
-
-          videoBackdrop.play().catch(() => {
-            setTimeout(() => {
-              if (videoBackdrop.paused && currentSlide.classList.contains('active')) {
-                console.warn(`Autoplay blocked for ${currentItemId}, attempting muted fallback`);
-                videoBackdrop.muted = true;
-                videoBackdrop.play().catch(err => console.error("Muted fallback failed", err));
-              }
-            }, 1000);
-          });
-        } else if (STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers && STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers[currentItemId]) {
-          const player = STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers[currentItemId];
-          if (player && typeof player.loadVideoById === 'function' && player._videoId) {
-            // Use loadVideoById to enforce start and end times
-            player.loadVideoById({
-              videoId: player._videoId,
-              startSeconds: player._startTime || 0,
-              endSeconds: player._endTime
-            });
-
-            if (STATE.slideshow.isMuted) {
-              player.mute();
-            } else {
-              player.unMute();
-              player.setVolume(40);
-            }
-
-            // Check if playback successfully started, otherwise fallback to muted
-            setTimeout(() => {
-              if (!currentSlide.classList.contains('active')) return;
-              if (player.getPlayerState &&
-                player.getPlayerState() !== YT.PlayerState.PLAYING &&
-                player.getPlayerState() !== YT.PlayerState.BUFFERING) {
-                console.log("YouTube loadVideoById didn't start playback, retrying muted...");
-                player.mute();
-                player.playVideo();
-              }
-            }, 1000);
-          } else if (player && typeof player.seekTo === 'function') {
-            // Fallback if loadVideoById is not available or videoId missing
-            const startTime = player._startTime || 0;
-            player.seekTo(startTime);
-            player.playVideo();
-          }
-          // If player exists but is NOT ready yet (no loadVideoById), do nothing here.
-          // The onReady handler will fire later, see the slide is active, and auto-play.
-        }
-        // If videoBackdrop is a YouTube div but player hasn't been created yet,
-        // do nothing — onReady will handle it when the player becomes ready.
-      }
-
       const enableAnimations = MediaBarEnhancedSettingsManager.getSetting('slideAnimations', CONFIG.slideAnimationEnabled);
 
       if (enableAnimations) {
@@ -2466,7 +2398,8 @@ const SlideshowManager = {
       this.updateDots();
 
       // Only restart interval if we are NOT waiting for a video to end
-      const hasVideo = videoBackdrop;
+      const hasVideo = currentSlide.querySelector('.video-backdrop') || 
+        (STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers && STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers[currentItemId]);
       if (STATE.slideshow.slideInterval && !STATE.slideshow.isPaused) {
         if (CONFIG.waitForTrailerToEnd && hasVideo) {
           STATE.slideshow.slideInterval.stop();
@@ -2780,6 +2713,146 @@ const SlideshowManager = {
     });
   },
 
+  /**
+   * Plays the video backdrop on the given slide and updates mute button visibility.
+   * Includes a retry mechanism for YouTube players that aren't ready yet.
+   * @param {Element} slide - The slide DOM element
+   * @param {string} itemId - The item ID of the slide
+   */
+  playCurrentVideo(slide, itemId) {
+    // Find video element — check class (covers both original div and iframe with class restored by onReady)
+    const videoBackdrop = slide.querySelector('.video-backdrop');
+    const ytPlayer = STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers && STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers[itemId];
+    const hasAnyVideo = !!(videoBackdrop || ytPlayer);
+
+    console.log(`[MBE-PLAY] playCurrentVideo for ${itemId}: videoBackdrop=${videoBackdrop?.tagName || 'null'}, ytPlayer=${!!ytPlayer}, ytReady=${ytPlayer && typeof ytPlayer.loadVideoById === 'function'}`);
+
+    // Update mute button visibility
+    const muteButton = document.querySelector('.mute-button');
+    if (muteButton) {
+      muteButton.style.display = hasAnyVideo ? 'block' : 'none';
+    }
+
+    if (!hasAnyVideo) {
+      console.log(`[MBE-PLAY] No video found for ${itemId}, skipping`);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // HTML5 <video> element
+    if (videoBackdrop && videoBackdrop.tagName === 'VIDEO') {
+      console.log(`[MBE-PLAY] Playing HTML5 video for ${itemId}`);
+      videoBackdrop.currentTime = 0;
+      videoBackdrop.muted = STATE.slideshow.isMuted;
+      if (!STATE.slideshow.isMuted) videoBackdrop.volume = 0.4;
+
+      videoBackdrop.play().catch(() => {
+        setTimeout(() => {
+          if (videoBackdrop.paused && slide.classList.contains('active')) {
+            console.warn(`[MBE-PLAY] Autoplay blocked for ${itemId}, muted fallback`);
+            videoBackdrop.muted = true;
+            videoBackdrop.play().catch(err => console.error('[MBE-PLAY] Muted fallback failed', err));
+          }
+        }, 1000);
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // YouTube player — try to play now if ready
+    if (ytPlayer && typeof ytPlayer.loadVideoById === 'function' && ytPlayer._videoId) {
+      console.log(`[MBE-PLAY] YouTube player READY for ${itemId}, calling loadVideoById`);
+      ytPlayer.loadVideoById({
+        videoId: ytPlayer._videoId,
+        startSeconds: ytPlayer._startTime || 0,
+        endSeconds: ytPlayer._endTime
+      });
+
+      if (STATE.slideshow.isMuted) {
+        ytPlayer.mute();
+      } else {
+        ytPlayer.unMute();
+        ytPlayer.setVolume(40);
+      }
+
+      // Pause slideshow timer for video if configured
+      if (CONFIG.waitForTrailerToEnd && STATE.slideshow.slideInterval) {
+        STATE.slideshow.slideInterval.stop();
+      }
+
+      // 1s check: if still not playing, force muted retry
+      setTimeout(() => {
+        if (!slide.classList.contains('active')) return;
+        try {
+          const state = ytPlayer.getPlayerState();
+          if (state !== YT.PlayerState.PLAYING && state !== YT.PlayerState.BUFFERING) {
+            console.warn(`[MBE-PLAY] loadVideoById didn't start for ${itemId} (state=${state}), muted retry`);
+            ytPlayer.mute();
+            ytPlayer.playVideo();
+          }
+        } catch (e) { console.warn('[MBE-PLAY] Error checking player state:', e); }
+      }, 1500);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // YouTube player NOT ready yet (onReady hasn't fired). 
+    // onReady will handle it IF the slide is still active when it fires.
+    // But as safety net: retry every 500ms for up to 6 seconds.
+    console.log(`[MBE-PLAY] YouTube player NOT READY for ${itemId}, starting retry loop (onReady will also attempt)`);
+    let retryCount = 0;
+    const maxRetries = 12; // 12 × 500ms = 6 seconds
+    const retryTimer = setInterval(() => {
+      retryCount++;
+
+      // Abort if slide changed or paused
+      if (!slide.classList.contains('active') || STATE.slideshow.isPaused) {
+        console.log(`[MBE-PLAY] Retry aborted for ${itemId} (slide inactive or paused)`);
+        clearInterval(retryTimer);
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const p = STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers && STATE.slideshow.videoPlayers[itemId];
+
+      // Check if player is now playing (onReady may have started it)
+      if (p && typeof p.getPlayerState === 'function') {
+        try {
+          const state = p.getPlayerState();
+          if (state === YT.PlayerState.PLAYING || state === YT.PlayerState.BUFFERING) {
+            console.log(`[MBE-PLAY] Player for ${itemId} is already playing (started by onReady), stopping retry`);
+            clearInterval(retryTimer);
+            return;
+          }
+        } catch (e) { /* player not fully ready yet */ }
+      }
+
+      // Check if player is now ready
+      if (p && typeof p.loadVideoById === 'function' && p._videoId) {
+        console.log(`[MBE-PLAY] Retry #${retryCount}: Player for ${itemId} now READY, calling loadVideoById`);
+        clearInterval(retryTimer);
+
+        p.loadVideoById({
+          videoId: p._videoId,
+          startSeconds: p._startTime || 0,
+          endSeconds: p._endTime
+        });
+
+        if (STATE.slideshow.isMuted) {
+          p.mute();
+        } else {
+          p.unMute();
+          p.setVolume(40);
+        }
+
+        if (CONFIG.waitForTrailerToEnd && STATE.slideshow.slideInterval) {
+          STATE.slideshow.slideInterval.stop();
+        }
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (retryCount >= maxRetries) {
+        console.warn(`[MBE-PLAY] Gave up retrying for ${itemId} after ${maxRetries * 500}ms`);
+        clearInterval(retryTimer);
+      }
+    }, 500);
+  },
 
 
   /**